ANC says it’s ‘ready’ for DA march (video)

Ngwako Modjadji

ANC members campaign in the Johannesburg Central Business District next Luthuli House in Johannesburg, 4 February 2014. The blitz was led by members of the National Executive Committee of the ANC and the target was various taxi ranks and other congregational areas. Picture: Nigel Sibanda

ANC supporters yesterday issued a stern warning to a “provocative” DA because of their planned march to Luthuli House in Johannesburg, and said they will “do whatever it takes” to defend the “revolutionary building”.

Hundreds of people dressed in ANC colours gathered at Luthuli House under the guise of a “blitzing campaign”, waiting for the DA to march.

The DA already indicated on Monday the march, originally planned for yesterday, will now take place next Tuesday.

Dolly Mofokeng from Middelburg, Mpumalanga, said the DA cannot march to Luthuli House.

“We are ready for them. They have been provoking us and we have been quiet for a long time.” She said she would form a human shield in defence of the late former President Nelson Mandela’s building.

Monky Motlou from Thokoza, Ekurhuleni, said the DA is tjatjarag (hasty) and must be dealt with. “Why do they want to march to Luthuli House? If they have concerns, they must raise them in Parliament. This is a revolutionary building and we will do whatever it takes to defend it,” she said.

Another ANC member, Fani Malinga from Cosmo City, north of Johannesburg, said the DA is using black people to hurl insults at the ANC.

“Lindiwe Mazibuko (DA parliamentary leader) will soon be used and get dumped after the general election. We are here to defend our building.”

The DA postponed its “march for real jobs” to Luthuli House after the Johannesburg Metro Police denied the party permission to march, claiming it was too risky.

The Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court overturned this on Monday and the DA said a new date for the protest march would be set once logistics were in place.

At issue is the ANC’s promise to provide six million work opportunities as outlined in its election manifesto. The DA has dismissed the promise as an election gimmick comprising “bogus” jobs in the government’s Expanded Public Works Programme.

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said the DA did not arrive for its planned march because the party was busy with a divorce – referring to the failed marriage between DA leader Helen Zille and AgangSA’s Mamphela Ramphele.

“This march is about the ANC manifesto, they are hasty,” Mantashe .said. “What do you do when a person says: I will storm your house?”

ANC Gauteng provincial secretary David Makhura vowed to teach the DA a “lesson” when the party marches to its headquarters. “The march is about who has the best policies to take the country forward,” he said. “We are the peaceful ANC of Mandela. There will be no violence.”